Method of putting up tall structures, especially tubular linings in chimneys

ABSTRACT

A method of erecting a composite structure of the type in which a plurality of structural elements are connected together in elevated superposed relation, whereby the top structure element is supported by a flexible line at a distance above a reference level allowing underlying connection of a subsequent structural element, with the line being pulled to raise the connectedtogether structural elements repeatedly for connection of additional structural elements at the reference level, with the free end of the line being connected to the top structural element to aid in raising the partially completed structure such that after a predetermined number of structural elements have been connected together, the load in lifting and supporting them is born by two line sections, the one which was originally connected to the top structural element and the other being of line length no longer needed to reach the top structural element, and then connected thereto.

Unite States Patent [191 Ahlgren Nov. 25, 1975 METHOD OF PUTTING UP TALL STRUCTURES, ESPECIALLY TUBULAR LININGS IN CHIMNEYS [75] Inventor: Nils Harald Ahlgren, Saltsjobaden,

' Sweden [73] Assignee: Uddemann Byggteknik AB,

Stockholm, Sweden [22] Filed: Dec. 29, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 319,400

[58] Field of Search 52/122, 126,40, 245,745, 52/747; 189/16; 254/144 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,381,123 10/1964 France 52/126 Primary Examiner-Henry C. Sutherland Assistant ExaminerLeslie A. Braun Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Bucknam and Archer [57] ABSTRACT A method of erecting a composite structure of the type in which a plurality of structural elements are connected together in elevated superposed relation, whereby the top structure element is supported by a flexible line at a distance above a reference level allowing underlying connection of a subsequent structural element, with the line being pulled to raise the connected-together structural elements repeatedly for connection of additional structural elements at the reference level, with the free end of the line being connected to the top structural element to aid in raising 5 References Cited the partially completed structure such that after a pre UNITED STATES PATENTS determined number of structural elements have been connected together, the load in lifting and supporting S l "1"]; 2 5 them is born by two line sections, the one which was 3065'573 $962 jzsg 52245 originally connected to the top structural element and 3279142 10]]966 Emwistl: X the other being of line length no longer needed to 3 392 496 7/1968 VanHezik 52/747 x reach the p Structural element, and then connected 3,396,502 8/1968 Contevita. 52/745 X thereto- 3,435.583 4/1969 Ben Aziz v 7. 52/745 3,673,754 7 1972 Murashige et al. 52/747 1 Clam" 5 Drawmg Flgures 3 L I I US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet2of2 3,921,361

IGA

FIGS

METHOD OF PUTTING UP TALL STRUCTURES, ESPECIALLY TUBULAR LININGS IN CHIMNEYS In putting up such tall structures, for example tubular linings in chimneys, as are composed of a plurality of superimposed elements, the structure is successively lifted to permit mounting the elements from below. To this end, lifting gear is mounted at the uppermost point of the structure, said lifting gear engaging bars, ropes and similar lifting means fastened to the structure. These lifting means must be of considerable length because of the height of the structure and they may also be relatively numerous because of the final load they have to carry. The transportation and handling of such lifting means therefore involve great problems.

The method according to the present invention has been developed to eliminate the disadvantages outlined above and comprises carrying out the lifting operation with a first group of lifting gear mounted at the uppermost point of the structure and adapted to engage bars, wire ropes and similar lifting means, and utilizing the portions of the lifting means relieved of load as a result of the lifting operation in a second group of lifting gear at the uppermost point of the structure when the said portions of the lifting means have obtained a length substantially corresponding to the remaining lifting height so that lifting of the successively increasing load is facilitated.

By this procedure the total length of the lifting means can be considerably reduced.

Embodiments of the method according to the invention will be more fully described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows the initial stage of putting up the structure, in a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows the final stage thereof;

FIG. 3 shows the initial stage of putting up the structure, in a second embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows the final stage thereof; and

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of a connector shown in FIG. 3.

1 denotes the chimney which is to be provided with a tubular lining 2. This tubular lining 2 is composed of a plurality of superimposed elements 3. In putting up the tubular lining 2 the elements assembled are successively lifted to permit mounting the remaining elements '3 from below.

A first group of lifting gear 4 for bars, wire ropes and similar lifting means 5 is mounted on top of the chimney 1 or a scaffolding, the lifting gear 4 preferably being hydraulic lifting jacks. The lifting means 5 have their one ends anchored at the upper end of the tubular lining 2 composed of the elements 3. The tubular lining 2 is lifted by the lifting gear 4 comprised in the first group of such gear. At the lifting, portions 6 of the lifting means 5 are relieved of load, and these portions 6 are utilized in a second group of lifting gear 7 at the top of the chimney 1 when these portions 6 have obtained a length substantially corresponding to the remaining lifting height, i.e. when approximately half of the tubular lining structure has been erected.

In the method illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 use is made of wire ropes or similar lifting means 5. The relieved portions 6 of said means which leave the first group of lifting gear 4 are moved rearwardly through the other group of lifting gear 7 while lifting is performed with the first group of lifting gear 4 so that the ends of the portions 6 are moved towards the structure 2 being lifted. The portions 6 should preferably coact with guides 8 between the two groups of lifting gear 4 and 7 for successive advance of the ends of the portions 6 towards the structure 2 being lifted. When the ends of the portions 6 reach the structure 2 they are connected with it, whereupon the lifting gear 7 is made operative so that continued lifting is performed with both the lifting gear 4 and the lifting gear 7.

The method illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 differs from that according to FIGS. 1 and 2 primarily in that the lifting means 5 are divisible approximately at their mid portions. The means 5 are divided at their middle before the relieved portions 6 leaving the first group of lifting gear 4 are utilized in the second group of lifting gear 7 for lifting the structure 2. At the division, the connectors 9 mounted between the two portions are removed. The end portions 10 of the lifting means 5 now are of such a length that they can be engaged with the first group of lifting gear 4 when the structure 2 rests on the base.

As shown in FIG. 5 the connector 9 is a rectangular frame or like member. The two portions of the lifting means 5 engage the two opposite sides 11 and 12 of said frame. The said two portions of the lifting means 5 can be wire ropes or bars. They can also be one wire rope and one bar. The ends of the wire ropes or bars are passed through holes in the sides 11 and 12 of the frame 9 to be gripped in clamping or grasping means 13. When at least one of the portions of the lifting means 5 is a wire rope which will tend to rotate at the lifting operation, a ball bearing 14 can suitably be provided between the frame 9 and the clamping means 13 to allow such rotation.

As can be seen from the foregoing disclosure, the invention basically provides a method of erecting a composite structure in the form of tubular chimney lining 2 of the type in which a plurality of structural elements 3 are connected together in elevated superposed relation. As shown schematically in FIG. 1, the method is practiced by first connecting one end portion of a flexible line 5 to the structural element 3 which is to be the top structural element in the composite structure 2. Line 5 is pulled upward by means of lifting device 4 so as to raise the top structural element a given distance above a reference level to accommodate emplacement of another structural element 3 under the top one. These pulling and connecting steps are repeated to connect together subsequent structural elements 3 until a predetermined number of structural elements have been connected together. In the lifting process, sections of the line 5 are passed through the pulling means 4 so that the length of line 5 from pulling means 4 to the connection at the top structural element 3 is a load bearing length of line, and the length of line 6 which has been passed upwardly through the pulling means is a load-relieved length. Respective separate pulling means 4 and 7 are provided for pulling the line lengths associated with line portions 5 and 6, FIG. 1 showing the relieved line length 6 passed in operative engagement with pulling means 7 taken to the top structural element 3. Thus, FIG. 1 shows how the loadrelieved line 6 is subsequently used to aid in lifting the partially complete structure. When the free end of line section 6 is brought to the top structural element 3, it is connected thereto in a manner similar to the end connection of line section 5, and both line lengths are then pulled by corresponding pulling means 4 and 7 until the intended number of structural elements have been connected together as shown by FIG. 2.

Thus, one part of the line is used for lifting the growing structure until, at a predetermined number of connected-together elements 3, the other part of the line is used to share in carrying the load.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A method of erecting a composite structure of the type in which a plurality of structural elements are connected together in elevated superposed relation, which method comprises the steps of connecting one end portion of a first flexible line section to the top structural element of the composite structure; connecting a sec- 4 ement to the top structural element; repeating said pulling and said connecting steps to connect together subsequent structural elements until a predetermined number of structural elements have been connected together; pulling upward on said free end portion of the first line section to support the connected together structural elements while disconnecting the second line section from the first line section; connecting an end portion of said second line section to said top structural element to share with said first line section the load of said connected together structural elements; pulling upward on both said first and second line sections to raise the connected together structural elements said given distance to accommodate emplacement of another structural element under the lowermost of said connected together structural elements; connecting said other structural elemenet to the lowermost structural element; repeating said steps of pulling both the first and second line sections and connecting other structural elements until all of the structural elements of the composite structure are connected together. 

1. A method of erecting a composite structure of the type in which a plurality of structural elements are connected together in elevated superposed relation, which method comprises the steps of connecting one end portion of a first flexible line section to the top structural element of the composite structure; connecting a second flexible line section to said first line section at a location thereon distance from the opposite end thereof to thereby provide a free end portion of said first line section extending from the place of connection with the second line section; pulling upward on said second line section to raise said top structural element a given distance above a reference level to accommodate emplacement of another structural element under said top structural element; connecting said other structural element to the top structural element; repeating said pulling and said connecting steps to connect together subsequent structural elements until a predetermined number of structural elements have been connected together; pulling upward on said free end portion of the first line section to support the connected together structural elements while disconnecting the second line section from the first line section; connecting an end portion of said second line section to said top structural element to share with said first line section the load of said connected together structural elements; pulling upward on both said first and second line sections to raise the connected together structural elements said given distance to accommodate emplacement of another structural element under the lowermost of said connected together structural elements; connecting said other structural elemenet to the lowermost structural element; repeating said steps of pulling both the first and second line sections and connecting other structural elements until all of the structural elements of the composite structure are connected together. 